In 1943, the U.S. Maritime Commission embarked upon a program to develop a new type of emergency ship that would replace those lost to German submarines during the early part of WWII. Dubbed the “Victory” ship, the new vessel was designed to be faster than its predecessor, the Liberty ship.

The Victories were given the designation of VC2: V for Victory (ship type), C for cargo, and 2 for a medium-sized ship between 400 and 450 feet long.

The first Victory ship, the S.S. United Victory, was built at Oregon Shipbuilding in Portland and delivered on February 28, 1944. A total of 531 Victories were constructed by North American shipyards, comprising 414 cargo ships and 117 attack transports. Ninety-seven of the Victories were outfitted as troop carriers; the others carried food, fuel, ammunition, material and supplies.

Built for Speed

While the lines of the Victory ship were not unlike those of the Liberty, the propulsion was vastly superior. Liberty ships were powered by steam engines, with a maximum speed of 11 knots, which made them easy prey for submarines. Victories were propelled by the more modern steam turbine, generating between 5,500 to 8,500 horsepower and providing cruising speeds of up to 15 to 17 knots (approximately 18.5 miles per hour).

The crew typically included 62 civilian merchant sailors and 28 naval personnel (to operate defensive guns and communications equipment). The ships’ names were inspired by a number of sources:

Member countries of the United Nations (e.g., SS Brazil Victory, SS U.S.S.R. Victory)

Patrick

41 Comments

Well remember seeing the Victories at sea and in port.
At sea, they generally overtook us, popping up over the horizon with their unmistakeable cargo gear luffed up to the mast cross trees, for ready use in the next port.
As an Australian ship’s Radio Officer I well recollect the big signals from their nicely fitted out radio rooms, and it would be great to have a memento of these ships in terms of a radio room clock in the ham shack.
It will remind me and others of the debt we owe to all who served at sea in merchant ships in W.W.II.
73s =
Colin Whale -VK4CU.

Well said! All of us at Chelsea Clock are proud to be a part of this history and heritage. We invite you to visit the vintage collection on our website to preview our latest U.S. Victory Ship clocks and to sign up to receive our emails announcing their availability. Thank you.

I am the proud owner of a Chelsea clock purchased from an estate sale in Tennessee…I do not have any information on it to determine its age…I am hoping that someone can give me the history or info on it. There is a small sloy on the face with what appears to be a wheel inside with a ” S ” and a ” F” on the sides…what do these represent? Also on the back it has the numbers 235451 …what do these numbers represent and do they tell you the manufacturing date? There are also what appears to be another set of numbers that have been zeroed or stamped out…what does this mean? Any infor will be appreciated. Thanks, Jann

According to our records (based on the serial number you have provided), the 4 ½” Ships Bell clock was sold to Marshall Field & Company on December 20, 1937. The “S’ and “F” markings on the dial refer to the settings on the regulator. Turn the wheel toward “F” (faster) if the clock is losing time, and toward “S” (slower) if it is gaining time. Rotating the wheel one notch will change the rate approximately four seconds per day. It is generally easier to let the clock run for a full week, then adjust the regulator as needed. You may download a PDF of the Ship’s Bell user’s manual from our website, at http://www.chelseaclock.com/customer-service.

Hello chelsea I have a maritime commision 6inch clock ser#420800 I wonder if you have a date for this piece.It looks great no discoloration on the face and keeps perfect time I wll be calling to order a new key thanx tom

A friend of mine has a Chelsea Clock Co clock in solid brass. The company name is :Chelsea Clock Co. Boston in two lines above the center of the dial and below the dial it says “U.S. Maritime Commission Serial No. 4047”

Do you know anything about this clock? Age, service etc? MY friend does no use the internet and I am a clock collector and member of the NAWCC.

We may be able to provide some additional background information about this timepiece if you can provide the Chelsea Clock serial numbers found on the case and movement of clock. Unfortunately, we cannot trace information according to the U.S. Maritime Commission serial number.

Hello i just got this clock from my grandfather but i’m searching for the serial number the only thing i can find is 496872 carved in @ the back of the clock.
Or should it be elsewhere?
Kind regards Pieter

Greetings to Chelsea, I am looking up information on a Chelsea clock. Im hoping you can give me,a history of the clock regarding its movement. It was made for the U.S. Gov. has marking for ser. # but no number is present. approx. 8 1/2″ 24 hr face { i obviously dont know the exact terms} It is in a black case that appears to be plastic? a photo or 2 would be best if i could. I dont know if its Model #21 #22. supposedly this was on a submarine, but with no exterior ser. # i doubt it… Any info or a place i could get the info would be much appreciated…..Thank you much. Best Regards

Hello Dave, Typically, the serial number is “etched” or scratched into the back of the black phenolic clock case. Take a closer look and see if you can forward that number to us. If so, we can look it up in our manufacturing log and tell you the year it was manufactured and to whom it was sold. But, unfortunately, we would not have any further information on the timepiece. Thanks!

Hello Chelsea team, I have recently purchased old and very beautiful “U.S: Maritime Commission” Chelsea clock. It looks like that it was recently serviced, because it’s dial looks new (silver color). It has serial #475093 on the mechanism and B-6902 on the housing. It would be great if you could tell the production year and maybe even some more information. Maybe it is even one of your Vintage Collection clocks found here “http://www.chelseaclock.com/pl/vintage-clocks-collection” ?

Thank you for reaching out to us at Chelsea Clock. According to our manufacturing log, the clock bearing serial number 475093 was sold to the United States Maritime Commission on March 5, 1945 and it is listed as a 6″ marine mechanical clock. Unfortunately, this is all the information that we have on this timepiece. You may wish to contact the U.S. Maritime Commission for additional information.

Here’s what our log book shows or serial number 396663: sold to the United States Maritime Commission on June 29, 1944, and it was listed as a 6″ marine mechanical clock. Unfortunately, that is all the information we see for this serial number. You might try contacting the Maritime Commission to find out more.

Hello Patrick, could you please see if the Chelsea log books show any information for my US Maritime Commission clock with Chelsea serial #450654? Also, why were these sold with the clock’s faceplate showing only “Ser No” and no number? Was that so the Maritime Commission could add their own inventory # there? Thanks in advance, Steve

I have a Chelsea clock (deck clock I think) on the dial is the U S Navy serial no. 40688E the serial no.on the movement is 412847, this number is also scratched in to the back of the case by someone, can you tell me anything about this clock I would be interested to know its history. I have wound it and it runs.

Roger
May 11, 2015
I have a Chelsea clock (deck clock I think) on the dial is the U S Navy serial no. 40688E the serial no.on the movement is 412847, this number is also scratched in to the back of the case by someone, can you tell me anything about this clock I would be interested to know its history. I have wound it and it runs.

I believe that’s actually the military serial number, and not the Chelsea Clock serial number. Our serial number (which we need to check the records) is on the back of the backplate. If you’re still interested, please email that serial number to me directly at lindsayt@chelseaclock.com. That way it will be quicker and easier for me to look into in and get back to you. Thanks for understanding — Lindsay @Chelsea Clock

As I’ve told the others, with so many blog posts in circulation and everyone asking about their clocks in the comments section of the many different posts, it can be difficult to manage all of these requests. I’d love to help you, though, if you can send this request to me directly at lindsayt@chelseaclock.com. That way I’ll have a paper trail and can easily check the records books and get back to you. Thanks so much for your understanding, and congrats on your new clock! –Lindsay @Chelsea Clock

Hi, I have a Chelsey Clock Co Boston under the hands. It was my Dad’s. I forgot I had it. It’s been in the garage for 43 yrs. It works! I have been reading everyone’s info. I took it to a clock Co and all he told me was it was from the 1940’s and that the glass wasn’t original. He was very rude. I can’t find a serial # or any number anywhere on the front or back. The back just says Chelsey Clock Co Boston. I remember my dad said it was from a ship or sub. He was in WWll Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks! Karen

My neighbor has an all brass Chelsea Ships Clock. On the face of the clock is is inscribed U. S. Maritime Commission Ser. No. 3515. On the back is another serial number 309051. Can you tell me when this clock was made and if you have any idea what ship it was on?

My Chelsea is a family heirloom zig-zag clock complete with ship’s bell that came off the Black Watch II , the boat my dad came downriver from Chicago arriving in New Orleans aboard with his family in 1948. I brought it to Baker-Lyman in N.O. for repairs & was apprised of both its value & its zig-zag function, but also that it’s minus some of its parts. I’ve long since wondered if the Chelsea could ever be restored to full zig-zag function considering that the people at Baker Lyman said the parts are hard to come by. My question: does Chelsea retrofit components needed to get a beautiful historical item back into ship- shape condition? My companion ship’s bell is just waiting to know.

I have a Chelsea military clock and would like to see what you can tell me about it. The face is marked U.S Army, Clock, Message Center, M2. The back of the clock has the following markings:
Serial # 611533, with a another # marked underneath this, 2b9. It is mounted inside a flip top wooded box and I have the original key in the box. The clock works and is in very good shape. I would like to now any info you can share with me about this clock, including value if possible.
Thanks!

My Chelsea clock with the U.S. Maritime serial No.5297 has no serial no. on the back of the case.It is encased in black phenolic.
Do you have any info on this clock? Can you direct me to the U.S. Maritime Commission?

I have a vintage US Coast Guard ships clock in brass with 1941 and Serial number 677 on the dial. Serial number on the back of the clock is M283438. My understanding is this clock was recovered from a Coast Guard vessel that had sunk off the coast of Italy during WWII.